Post by Avaerilon on Jun 9, 2013 13:23:37 GMT
ATTENTION ANI READERS! Have your say here on the issue discussed below! Check the news article first, if you haven't already done so, then look at the arguments below before voting.
What's happening?
The AAA, or Atheist Association of Avaerilon, has submitted an application to use a lot on Temple Avenue, Lyndainium, to build a place for atheists to meet.
Who decides?
The Council of the City of Lyndainum, which is a council made-up of politicians from across the Avaerilonian political spectrum.
Who supports it?
Aside from the AAA themsevles, the Social Democrats have endorsed the plan, along with certain religious groups such as the Avaerilonian Christian Church and the Islamic Society of Avaerilon.
Who opposes it?
The Centrists have come-out against the plan, along with the Agnostic Guild, the Avaerilonian Catholic Church, the National Judaism Society, and the Guild of Mithras.
According to the census, what is the situation with beliefs in Avaerilon?
84.6% of Avaerilonians identified as having religious beliefs, with the overwhelming majority following the four large native faiths; Avaerilonian Christianity, Daedracism, Aedracism, and Valarism. 15.4%of the population are non-religious; 14.3% being agnostic, and 1.1% being atheistic. There are more atheists in Avaerilon than followers of Islam, Buddhism, Judaism and various other religions.
What are the main arguments for and against the plan?
FOR:
- Atheism is currently not represented in Temple Avenue, while beliefs followed by less people than those who follow atheism have plots of land and buildings there
- Atheism is recognised by the government as a belief, which entitles them to a plot of land
- It would bring even more diversity to the area
- Various religious groups support it, including the biggest single one in Avaerilon; the Avaerilonian Christian Church
- The AAA meeting with the religious leaders on a day-to-day basis would ease tensions between them
- Irreligious people make-up around 15.4% of the population; they cannot be ignored like this
AGAINST:
- Atheism is not a faith or religion, which is the term used in the charter used legally to determine who is entitled to a plot of land to build on; therefore, their request is invalid in the yes of the law
- The area is devoted to bring Avaerilonians who hold religious views together, and would negatively impact on the history and culture of the avenue
- The Agnostic Guild has condemned the move; they are a much larger non-religious body, which has not requested to build a place to meet in Temple Avenue
- The AAA has been deeply offensive towards the majority of Avaerilonians who hold religious views, and this might give rise to the group issuing more insensitive and unintelligent statements
- Several religious groups, which in-total represent more people than the AAA do, have spoken-out against the move
- The plan is likely unimportant to irreligious people, who likely want to concentrate on more concrete issues like easing tensions with some religious groups
